The Bahtinov mask has become the preferred method of focusing a telescope visually or when imaging with a CCD camera, DSLR or webcam. Precise and repeatable focus can be achieved in under a minute, even in poor seeing conditions. The mask displays a unique diffraction profile; one part of the diffraction pattern moves in response to changes in focus and displays an error as a displacement from a clearly defined point.
Straight sides ensure the focus mask will not roll away when stored on the shelf, the matt-black surface prevents reflections, and a reflective high visibility corner makes it easy to locate in the dark.
Credit goes to Russian amateur astronomer Pavel Bahtinov for creating the design and making it available to the astronomy community.
| Average Rating (44 Reviews): | |
16 April 2023 | James
Great turn around thank FLO
23 March 2023 | Aaron
Mask itself seems as mentioned but I ravaged all of my packaging 3 times, ripped every bit of plastic and cardboard where the mounting screws could have gotten but to no avail. Mine did not come with anything to mount it with so yeah, hard to say anything about it working... A good paperweight though!
Response:
We are sorry to hear the bolts have been lost - please get in touch and we will send out replacements asap.
10 February 2023 | Richard
FlO were very helpful, fast delivery, and a great product..recommend.
22 December 2022 | Andrew
The mask has 3 holes and 2 screw in pins. This gives you the choice to have the diffraction spikes either vertical or horizontal. Which ever suites your eye best. The small label on the mask shows which way is which. Simply hang on the front of the telescope and focusing is made simple and incredibly accurate. Works even better with a Crayford focuser.
15 September 2022 | Andrew
Poor, simple hang off the end mask with 2 plastic bolts. Mine doesn't even sit centred. Sits almost 1cm too low.
Case of buy cheap buy twice here.
Response:
They are designed to hang on the end like this - this works perfectly in practice and bahtinov masks do not need to sit centred to work.
You don't mention the functionality at all but you will find the mask works perfectly and offers a cost effective solution.
Works well, but feels like this item is missing a 3rd plastic skrew for attachement 09 September 2022 | Joakim
Everything as expected, but as there are three holes but only two plastic screws included, it would sit better on the telescope with three plastic screws. The material seems slightly simple, but appears to do the job well.
Response:
If there were three bolts then one of them would never be in use - these are designed to hang on top of the telescope using two bolts. There are three holes to allow for adjustment / choice of orientation and where the reflective strip is.
Prime focus made easy - Esprit 100ED 12 June 2022 | Ben
It's a rather crude product, but works perfectly. Hang on the end of the OTA, and achieve prime focus in seconds!
04 May 2022 | Chris
Purchased for the Skywatcher 72ED, works really well and is easy to use.
19 April 2022 | J
Works....took me a minute of two to figure out that the long plastic screws in the box were for the mask and not for something else in my order also packed in the box
28 March 2022 | William
Worked perfectly with ZWO camera. Very quick and simple to use allowing pin sharp imaging by this beginner in astrophotography. Even worked with normal eyepieces which gave a useful check of its accuracy. Quite sturdy.
Read all 44 customer reviews...
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